Amanze ChinonyeOperatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have demonstrated exceptional vigilance and operational dexterity in a series of high-profile drug interdictions across Nigeria, including the arrest of a Lagos widow attempting to traffic cocaine using a fake pregnancy.
On Friday, Mrs. Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike, a 50-year-old fashion designer and proprietress of Golden Star Creation in Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, was intercepted at a bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba, while attempting to deliver 1.3 kilograms of cocaine to customers in Abuja.
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NDLEA officers recovered 200 grams of a cutting agent from her residence in a follow-up search. Ezewuike claimed she inherited the drug trade from her late husband, despite running her fashion business for 20 years.
Confirming the arrest, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said, “This arrest shows the lengths drug traffickers will go to conceal illicit substances. Our operatives remain vigilant, and no attempt to evade scrutiny will go undetected.” NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd.) added,
“The persistence of drug syndicates underscores the need for continued vigilance. Operations like this send a clear message: traffickers cannot outsmart our officers, and we will dismantle their networks to protect Nigerians from the scourge of narcotics.”
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The Lagos arrest forms part of a broader nationwide crackdown over the past week. On Tuesday, NDLEA officers intercepted not less than 90 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 48.6 kilograms, imported from the United States and concealed in three cartons of kitchen sinks at a courier company in Lagos.
In Adamawa, operatives acting on credible intelligence raided the home of notorious drug dealer Idris Garba on Friday. Garba escaped by scaling a fence, but his associate Boniface Nnaji, 55, was caught attempting the same maneuver. The operation led to the seizure of 354,480 pills of tramadol, a black Toyota Thundra, and a Toyota Yaris used in distributing the drugs.
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NDLEA also intercepted opioids in Kogi State, seizing 5,000 tramadol capsules, 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection, and 200 ampoules of diazepam from a suspect crossing the River Niger from Onitsha to Lokoja on Wednesday. Similar seizures were carried out in Kano, where multiple suspects were arrested with pregabalin, codeine syrup, and tramadol capsules between August 19 and 23.
Large-scale cannabis interdictions continued in Kwara, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Taraba states, with operatives seizing and destroying tons of skunk on trucks and plantations.
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Highlights include 2,289.49 kilograms of cannabis seized in three operations in Kwara, 25,500 kilograms destroyed in Delta, and 25,025 kilograms destroyed in Ondo. In Taraba, 7,500 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on three hectares of farmland, while Edo State authorities seized 901 kilograms from a warehouse.
In Abuja, NDLEA officers arrested two dispatch riders, Garba Sule, 29, and Isaac Augustine, 35, for distributing pentazocine injections and cannabis.
Beyond seizures and arrests, NDLEA commands nationwide continued sensitization under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) program, conducting advocacy visits and enlightenment lectures in schools, mosques, workplaces, and government offices across Katsina, Kano, Abia, and Nasarawa states.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and men involved in these operations, noting their dexterity, courage, and professionalism. He enjoined all commands to sustain the ongoing balanced approach to Nigeria’s drug control efforts.
These coordinated arrests, seizures, and destruction of illicit substances underscore the effectiveness and commitment of NDLEA in combating drug trafficking and abuse. The operations send a strong message to traffickers and highlight the agency’s role in safeguarding public health, security, and the rule of law across Nigeria.
Amanze Chinonye is a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria. With a unique voice that blends tradition with modernity, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday Nigerian life, from the bustling markets of Lagos to the quiet villages of the countryside. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
